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Tuesday, March 30, 2021 | Department of Environmental Protection
About 150 participants including 100 students attended the Climate Youth Town Hall, co-hosted by the County Executive, Montgomery College, and Montgomery County Public Schools on February 11. The Town Hall began with presentations from four students from MCPS and Montgomery College. In addition to getting input on the draft Climate Action Plan, the Town Hall connected students across the county who are leading environmental and sustainability clubs in their respective schools -- a need identified by students during the process of organizing the Town Hall. See the event coverage by WDVM here and s here, as well as the YouTube recording of the event here.
The public comment period for the Draft Climate Action Plan ended on February 28, and the Climate Leadership Team is currently reviewing all the comments received. We are grateful for the active engagement of our community in improving and refining the plan to reach our climate goals with a social justice, racial equity and public health lens. The County intends to finalize the Climate Action Plan this Spring. Look for the final Plan on our Climate website.
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On March 22, 2021, the County Executive and Department of Permitting Services sent the 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) to the Montgomery County Council. The proposed Executive Regulation 12-20 will update the current 2012 IgCC in place and apply to all buildings 5,000 square feet and greater in Montgomery County. The comments received on the draft ER 12-20 and guidance on methods for alternative compliance pathways are also available. Learn more here.
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We are highlighting the work of two local student climate groups who participated in the Climate Youth Town Hall. Their energy and continuous work in advocating for climate action is instrumental!
Climate Club DC at Lowell School in DC
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This club was started in Washington, D.C. in 2019 by middle schoolers to advocate for climate action. They work with Mobile Climate Science Labs and NOAA. Find more about their work on YouTube and Twitter accounts-- Climate Club DC and @ClimateClubDC. Watch their introductory video here!
Climate Action Now club at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus
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This club is a place where students can meet to raise awareness about environmental issues. The club has monthly guest speakers, organizes outreach projects with the community (even during COVID-19!), and ships out fun educational DIY kits. Club meetings are weekly on Fridays from 1:30PM-2:30PM, contact them at mcclimateactionnow@gmail.com for more information or visit their website.
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Peer Outreach With Energy Resources (POWER) is a group of teens in Montgomery County, Maryland, who provide presentations at Montgomery County Public Libraries on energy! Everything in our universe has energy. That’s why our mission is to empower youth to apply their knowledge of energy types, efficiency, and conservation in their everyday lives. As kids learn how their actions have positive and negative impacts on energy and the environment, teens develop the versatile skills they need to lead on issues they care about.
Learn more about their initiative on the POWER website and register for upcoming events!
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On March 1, County Executive Marc Elrich publicly endorsed the Green New Deal in an event with the Sunrise Movement Silver Spring group and County Council President Tom Hucker. "I urge the President and Congress to pass the Green New Deal so that we can increase our investment in a clean energy future” said County Executive Elrich during the event. Sunrise Movement Silver Spring also tweeted "We are proud to have the county behind us as we advocate for a federal Green New Deal!” Check out the tweet here.
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On March 15, the County Executive released the fiscal year 2022 proposed operating budget for Montgomery County. The proposed budget includes three new positions to expand the County’s capacity to tackle climate change. The new positions will support efforts related to energy regulatory policy; private-sector EV adoption and building electrification; and community outreach related to climate change. Learn more about it here.
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Montgomery County Public Schools reached a historic deal to electrify its buses through a leasing arrangement, after the approval of $1.3 million annual contract by the County School Board in February 2021. MCPS will begin by operating 25 electric buses this fall and will gradually add more buses yearly. This effort is lauded as historic for its innovative financing method and its scale. It is also contributing to the county’s overall goal of converting its entire fleet into electric by 2035. Learn more in the Washington Post and Maryland Matters articles.
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Montgomery County intends to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and provide access to charging options for the public within the County. The County is seeking proposals to install-finance-operate-maintain electric vehicle charging stations on County-owned property. The Request for Proposals is available here.
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To read: 4 black women leaders on climate, justice, and the green ‘Promised Land’ (Grist)
Montgomery County Green Bank’s 2020 Annual Report (MCGB)
Hail! It’s America’s Most Underrated Climate Risk (The Atlantic)
LBA Realty: Climate Risk Assessment Report and Resiliency Plan (Better Buildings)
Small but Mighty: How Three Small Cities are Saving Energy and Embracing Renewables (ACEEE blog)
What architects need to know about hazard and climate risk (AIA)
How to Improve Public Health, the Environment and Racial Equity All at Once: Upgrade Low-income Housing (Route Fifty)
Geographer Diana Liverman explains how to tackle the climate crisis fairly (High Country News)
The time has come for electric utilities to make some major changes (Route Fifty)
To listen: Becoming a Buddhist Climate Scientist (Tricycle)
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